Home Theater

Oppo announces a firmware update for the UDP-205-- one adding MQA support to the flagship universal 4K disc player, allowing users to play music files encoded using the format via the Music app.

Post-update, the player can identify and decode files encoded with MQA, allowing owners to benefit from the full resolution of the studio-quality sound the format provides. Oppo plans to add further to the functionality, with MQA-CD compatibility and MQA decoding for the USB DAC and coaxial/optical inputs.

The UDP-205 carries a pair of ES9038PRO DACs, as well as a dedicated RCA/XLR output for stereo, coaxial and an optical digital audio output. Meanwhile the HDMI audio output port features a clock reduction circuit and a USB DAC.

The Marantz home cinema line-up gets a pair of additions-- the SR7012 network AV receiver and the AV7704, a multi-channel AV preamplifier/processor successor to the current AV7703.

The SR7012 is a 9.2-channel network AVR with 11.2 channel processing capability. It includes a 192kHz/32-bit digital to analog converter block with a clock jitter reducer for more precise and high-quality sound, while each channel provides 125W of power to drive a full 5.1.4 home cinema setup without need for additional external amplifiers.

Another addition is integration with the Amazon Home Entertainment skill, enabling voice commands through the Amazon smart assistant. Commands include power on/off, track skip and volume, among others. Meanwhile built-in HEOS technology allows users to enjoy music anywhere in the home through HEOS app, and wireless connectivity via Bluetooth and AirPlay allow streaming from any compatible device.

The HomePod lacks a display, and the only Apple devices with native 4K capability are the latest iMac models, suggesting the disovery pertains to the Apple TV. In addition, Rambo discovered strings kCADisplayModeDolby and kCADisplayModeHDR10, suggesting a future Apple TV might even include support for the Dolby Vision and HDR10 colour formats.

Lending further credibility to such rumours is the fact Apple is listing select movies as 4K and HDR in the iTunes purchase history. This was discovered by MacRumors forum member Tomas Jackson, who shared a screenshot of his purchase history of the 2016 film Passengers. It lists as "Movie (4K, HDR)." However, as it currently stands the film can only be played in 720p and 1080p resolution, with no HDR.

Meanwhile balanced digital input options support 16 channels of digital audio fed from processors from manufacturers including Trinnov, Datasat and Storm Audio (x2 RJ45 and x1 DB25). The 271 can also be integrated into an existing system with an IP controlled setup and configuration platform, as well as control modules for a number of 3rd party systems.

Sony announces the European launch of the X1000ES-- a high-end 4K/UHD Blu-ray player aimed at custom installers, making ideal for advanced home theatre AV systems.

The X1000ES is compatible with UHD Blu-ray discs, as well as 4K and HDR video streaming. It uses a Sony developed Precision HD drive to maintain consistent performance with virtually every optical disc format, including DVD Video and DVD Audio, CD and SA-CD, Blu-ray 3D and BD-ROM media, and handles a variety of video codecs to deliver 4K streams from the likes of Netflix, Amazon Video and YouTube.

A dedicated picture mode for HDR content is included, along with video processing to upscale 1080p content in a "near" 4K 60p resolution. A unique Sony algorithm reproduces the intended brightness and colour gradations of 4K HDR content when played on a 4K SDR TV, providing the best picture quality.

The Oppo UDP-203 and UDP-205 UHD Blu-ray players are the first to receive Dolby Vision support via firmware update, in addition to the HDR-10 spec all UHD Blu-ray players support.

The OPPO UDP-203 and UDP-205 support 4K UlHD Blu-ray disc playback, as well as regular Blu-ray and DVD. Packing a resolution of up to 3840 x 2160 pixels, UHD Blu-ray delivers four times the pixels of regular Blu-ray. Prior to the Dolby Vision upgrade, the UDP-203/205 already supported HDR10 (High Dynamic Range) and Wide Colour Gamut.

Denon presents an AV receiver option for the more budget-conscious customer-- the AVR-X540BT, a 4K-ready 5.1-channel model feauturing Bluetooth streaming.

The AVR-X540BT lacks 3D audio decoding, since it sticks with standard Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio support. However it ramps up on the wireless streaming, being able to remember up to 8 paired Bluetooth devices. Such devices can also double as a controller, since the 500 Series Remote app offers functions such as on/off, volume up/down, mute and source selection.

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